Contour milling machine



Feb. 23, 1954 F. A. Bul-:CHLER' CONTOUR MILLING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 2l, 1951 ATTORNEYSl y. INVENTOR. (D U I R g'QBYFRANK A BUEQLE @QTY ,4%

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 23, 1954 F A BUECHLER CoNToUR MILLING MACHINE Flled Dec 21, 1951 mh wm ATTORNEYS Feb. 23, 1954 F, A BUECHLER 2,669,908

CQNTOUR MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2l. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FlG. 5f FRANK A. BuEcHLER ATTORNEYS Feb 23, 1954 F. A. BUECHLER CONTOUR MILLING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 2l, 1951 INVENToR.

FRANK A BUECHLER FIG. 5

BY a

ATTORNEYS Feb. 23, 1954 F, A BUECHLER 2,669,908

CONTOUR MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 21. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 8

zal

Frs. l2

INVENTOR. FRANK A. BUECHLER ATTORNEYS Feb. 23, 1954 F. A. Bur-:CHLER CONTOUR MILLING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 21, 1951 FIG. IO

FIG. 3 a,

IN1/EN TOR. FRANK A. BUECHLER FIG.

Feb 23, 1954 F. A. BUECHLER 2,669,908

CONTOUR MILLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2l. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 'T -259 4 l C INVENToR. 287 l I FRANK A. BuEcHLER ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTOUR MILLING MACHINE Frank A. Buechler, Tallmadge, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Bridgewater Machine Tool Co., Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 21, 1951, Serial No. 262,751

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to the construction of machines for cutting irregular contours and, while the principles of the invention may be applied to finishing a large variety of work pieces, the machine has been designed particularly for the purpose of machining the elliptical peripheries of frames which are used in the construction of jet planes for the armed forces.

The frames of the jet planes referred to are elliptical in the area in which the Work is performed by the machine of this invention, but the outside faces of the work piece gradually decrease in angularity with respect to the plane of the piece from a point near the midway point or top of the elliptical area to the extremes thereof.

The machining of a surface such as described must be very accurate as it is against these surfaces that the outer wall or skin of the fuselage is riveted, and the machine shown and described herein is especially adapted for this type of milling operation. The tolerances allowed are very close and accuracy in cutting is one of the prime requisites of the machine. The machine is largely automatic and the work is done quicker and more accurately than it is possible to do it with known machines and methods.

In the operation of the machine, it is usual to iinish two work pieces at the same time, the work pieces when assembled constituting a single frame, and the machining operation is thus done on both pieces so that the work is perfectly turned o-ut and the two pieces correspond.

As the frames are forged, they have outwardly beveled surfaces due to the die draft and the machine is adapted, first, to remove these draft surfaces and then to finish both pieces without resetting the work.

rlhe machine is relatively simple, considering the peculiar and accurate work which it performs, and has many advantages over prior machine tools which have been used for this type of work with indifferent success. The cost of making these frame parts is greatly reduced and, in addition, the Work is done accurately and quickly. y y

It will be understood that the invention is shown and described herein in its best known and preferred form, but the invention is not limited or restricted to a following of the details which are given. -On the contrary, `the machine 2 may be modified or improved within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which the practical and operative embodiment of the invention is shown as it has been perfected and used:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine, the work table being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the head of the machine, the location of this view being indicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section through the head on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3a is a section on the line 3ft-3a of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3b is a section on the line 31a- 3b of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the rocking tool carrier taken on the lines 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the machine on the line 6--6 of Fig. 1 showing the transmission from the table to the rotating cam or pattern which controls the inclination of the cutting tool by which the angle on the work is generated.

Fig. 7 is a, detailed View showing the follower or tracer which `controls the movement of the work support to generate the elliptical form of the work. The location of thisview is indicated by the line 'l-'l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a section through the rear or inboard lbearing for the cam shaft, the location of this view being shown by the line 8-8 of Fig.y 2.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the pattern and pattern follower or stylus on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

- Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the driving mechanism for the rotating Work table. The lo cation of this View is indicated by the line llll on Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a section on the line l lk--l i of Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a detail of the tool rocking mechanism on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 4. j

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views taken through the work pieces showing the successive steps performed thereon.

Fig. 16 is a detail of the tool carrying head on the line IG-IB ,of Fig. 1.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the work table vwith the work clamped thereon, the location of this view being indicated by the line H-I'l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the iinished piece.

The work piece outer perimeter is formed with a double bevel orcrown e due to the necessary die draft,

As shown in the drawings, the preferred procedure is to mount two of:.th e-frames.oraworli pieces on the work table, with spacers# betweenthem, and to machine the two-.superposed piecesV at one time, both in the interestaof` economy and y to obtain pairs of pieces which are similar in contour.

When each Work piece4 is nished in the form Sharm-in Fis-e185 thadistarlces w, from` the` .central pcie-try tothefbontsb and-.fic eralessthan the distance y from the point g to the point a. The Outerfeerimeteras formed with an angular Surfacezh fWbiahfiS-at itsfereatest inclination. at the point a, the angle gradually approachingthe vertioaleasaitgnears thepointsb and c, where it merges into verticalv surfaces. The cutting of this compoun l.s urface,which isin the formof a halt.:ellipse-reiht@ varying angles and the reproduction of this contour, Vaccuratelyand economisallyfin an automatcmachineis a new and very valuable advance inthe art.

The work table Iand* operating means The `,machine...ccmpr-ises ka bed l, lin the upper forwarghportion -of whichare.,guideways in which is slidably, mounted fa base 'platel 4. f On the upper surface of the plate Q is a circular .groove vv5 :which Areceives-a sei'iesrof balls which at,thecenter,ofthe-base,-plate.V The work table is supportedon the .posti by yroller .bearings t,

Onthe .underside .of tthe vn'orlctableis secured the circular" beveled .gear rack l2 which meshes with a bevel drive gear HL Gear fi is .provided Witha ,stem er sleeve i3 whchisreceivedina bracket l5 attached to the movable bed plated so 'that the gear is'maintained in' mesh withy the gear rack I2 inl allpcsitions of the table. In the rnnzer-v end 'of sleeve !3- is fixed the key piece i8, Which'is-keyedon' a feathered portion of along shaft 20 on which the gear I4 is mounted and by which ithe` workl table is driven from -a motor, as will beldescribed..

To .the- .underside ,zof Athe base plate i is 1 iixed .1a bracket 22 having a passage in Which is :received agshaf'tgil by which the kworkftable:assemblyis movedrto and fro ontheguidevvays 2 to generate the elliptical phase of the contoured Work/piece.. The shaft, 2,4 extendsinto. a split collet25 which is drawn into clamping. engagement with the, shaft`24 'by the compression collar .25,lthreaded.

on the collethousing 21, which. in turn is fastened tothe bracket 22.

The shaft 2li is providedwith a piston (not shown) which operates in Y a two-way' hydraulic cylinder 3W mounted on supports 3f beneath the 75 Work table assembly. The admission of fluid pressure to opposite sides of the piston will move the work table assembly to and fro on the guideways 2. The means for controlling the movement of the work table assembly will be described later.

The upper side of the Work table 6 is provided with a plurality of radial T-shaped slots 35, which receive the heads of bolts 36 on which are mount ed the clamps 37 by which the Work pieces A are mounted and secured to the work table. As noted above, in regular operation, two work pieces are mounted .on Ethegworlcv table, but this is optional asone work piece or morethan-tvvo may be machined at one time.

The edge of the Work table is formed with a ledge-4,.on,which are secured the two templates il and 42. These patterns or templates are spaced by-aninsert or filler ring 41% so that they are atdiiferent, operating levels. Each template is provided'vwith a half elliptical portion, as shown vin-gEig. 11,7, whichicorresponds to and parallels the ellipticva1 contour to be reproduced on the work piece. It will be observed, however, that the lower template ft2 is offset with respect to the 'upper template 4 l, so that .through they elliptical portiontlie `,edge of .the template 'iZfprojects beyond-.the edge of template-all. L

1n explanation of Athis showing, Ithe .template il! 'is employed While the machineris cuttingtthe angular surface 'h on.the;perimeter.cf the -work piece, .while .the rtemplate .425;isiemployed-while the machine` is cuttiungxavvay:theEdie 1draft other words, template 421isnsedfwhile changing thevwork pieceto the-'formshown` in Fig.=.14, .while template .4| used .in .changing .the workpiece fromllig. 14 to Fig. 15'. f

The reasonforxthe divergence: inthe templates, las illustrated in Fig. 1'?, is that when.the.axisfof Kthe .cutting tool, to; beA .describedris svertical, v asY in making .theflrstcuh its cutting surface iis moved to the right (Fig. x1) andshence the .work .table must .Y be moved Afurther to the right to. have the tool engage .the Work. On the other; hand,1when theaxis ofthetool is tiltedltoxcut :the angular surface h, Vthe cuttingsurface of. the .toolis shifted to the= left and Ahence thework .tablehas to rbe moved .furtherto the leftto engagethe tool and the worki It :will f-urthersbe observedfromlFig. 1'? 'that'.as the angular` surface 4h V.gradually mergesv .atl the points y b and y c, .the edges of. the templates zapproachuntil lat the points bande they will be in register. A

The means/for* controlling the movement'of the work table 'assemblyto and fro to generate the elliptical contour of the work piece willfnow be described.

Rising from the rear ofthe bed Iy isa stanchion or housing, indicatedA asl a' whole by the numeraly 54. On lthis stanchion is mounted a template follower to be described, onemeans for mounting beingdescribed. On the Yfront v face 45" of the stanchion is a vertical dove-tailed guideway {'46 on which is slid'ablvmounted a'bracketv 48"'(Fig. '7 adapted tobe clamped in vertically adjustedl position by a set-screw `495er equivalent means. Ontheextremity of bracket-.i48- is secured a ,barizontahplate V50, the underside of whichiseprovided with a dove-tailed guideway on Which-is mounted a sliding block 52,- 'the position of which on the plate 5l)A isf'adju'sted-by the set-screw 54.

Ori-the block 52' is al horizontalguideway on which vis slidably-*mounted Va device `which 'is knownY thelart-as a tracer valve-and which is l given v--the i numeral 56. The position of the valve 56 on the block 52 is adjusted by the screw 51. It will be seen that the tracer valve 56 can be located at any point in space within the limits of the mounting therefor.

From the bracket 48 is extended a second bracket 59, in the outer end of which is pivoted a lever 68, the outer end of which carries a roller 62 which acts as a template follower and is yieldingly pressed against either template 4| or 42 by the pressure in the cylinder 30, which is in turn controlled by the tracer valve. The selection of the template is determined by shifting the vertical position of the tracer valve. The other end of the lever 60 goes to the tracer valve and operates the tracer valve in the manner well known in the art.

The details of the tracer valve are not shown. Tracer valves are made by several concerns and they operate valves which permit the passage of fluid pressure to one side or the other of the piston in the cylinder 30, through piping indicated at several points on Fig. 1 at 63.

The operation of the mechanism is that as the work table 6 is rotated the lever 60 is moved by the template which is engaged by the roller 62 and this, in turn, operates the tracer valve to shift the table to and fro on its guideways 2, through the action of the piston transmitted. to the table assembly through the shaft 24. As the location of the cutting tool is Xed, the shifting 'of the work table creates the elliptical contour on the work piece.

The driving mechanism The stanchion 44 is a three-sided housing, on the front face 45 of which is the vertical dovetailed guideway 46 referred to above. It has the two parallel side walls 65 and 66 and is open to the rear (see Fig. 1l). At the upper right hand corner it has a vertical rib or flange 68. The stanchion is bolted to the bed through lower flanges at the base of the stanchion, as shown at 69. It supports the heavy, overhanging superstructure or head indicated as a whole by the numeral 18. The head fits around the front and one side of the stanchion and has a dove-tailed groove 12 which fits against one side of the guideway 46, the other side of the guideway being engaged by the shim 14 which is drawn against the guideway by bolts 15. The side of the head which engages the rib 68 is provided with a heavy clamping plate 1S which is drawn by bolts 19 against the rear face of the rib 68. The other side of the head i'lts against the side wall 65 and is clamped against the rear of the stanchion by a vertical plate 8| drawn against the rear edge of the side Wall 65 by bolts 82.

The head is raised or lowered on the stanchion by hydraulic means. In a recess in the front of the stanchion is located a hydraulic cylinder 85 (Fig. 6) which is attached to the stanchion by straps and bolts 86. The piston rod 88 is extended below the cylinder where it is connected to a plate 81 secured to the underside of the head 10. The upper end of the piston rod 88 is extended above the cylinder, is threaded and passes through a plate 90 secured on the top of the stanchion. Lock nuts 9| bear against the top of plate S0 and hold the piston in its adjusted vertical position until the head is clamped to the stanchion by the several means provided.

Fluid pressure is admitted to the cylinder 85 through a conduit 93 rwhich extends through a slot v94 in thefrontvwall 'oflthe stanchion; A

pump 96 is driven by a motor 91, the pump being supplied from a reservoir 98 in the base of the machine. The pump supplies the fluid pressure to thecylinder through valves and piping, the details of which are not shown. It will also be noted that the pump 9-6 also supplies the power to move the tool carriage, to be described, to and fro on the head.

y`In the interior of the stanchion and attached to the rear face of the front wall thereof by bracket is a motor |00, the shaft of which drives a bevel gear |0| engaging a pinion |02 fixed to the upper 'end of the vertical power shaft |04 (Fig. 10). The upper portion of shaft |04 is mounted in bearing |05 located in the lower side of a housing |06 secured to the casing of the motor |00. On the lower end of shaft |04 is a pinion |08 which meshes with a larger gear |01 on the upper end of a shaft |09. Shaft |09 extends through a cover of a transmission housing H0, which is secured to the top of the bed Within the stanchion. The shaft is set in spaced bearings ||2 in the housing ||0 and between these bearings is fitted with a worm ||5 which engages and drives a worm gear on the shaft 20, which drives the work table through the connections previously described.

The shaft 20 extends through the front wall 45 of the stanchion and its inner end, through a clutch IIS, drives an aligned shaft |20. The clutch, which may be of any desired form, is held in the fast driving engagement by the adjustable collar H9, backed up by spring |2|. This will permit the shaft |20 to be turned independently of shaft 20 in the setting of the machine. Shaft |20 rotates inbearings |22 which are located and held in place by threaded ring |26 in a sleeve |23 formed as a part of the rear wall of housing ||0. A web |24 extends upwardly from the rear of the housing and the sleeve is extended rearwardly to provide a bearing for the lower end of a lever arm |25. Above the sleeve the arm |25 is provided with an arcuate slot |21 and extending through the slot and threaded into the web |24 is the bolt |28, This arrangement permits the arm to be located in various angular positions about the axis of the shaft |20/for reasons to appear.

The purpose of the shaft |20 is to drive the rotating cam which varies the inclination of the cutting tool during the machining of the angular surfaces h in synchronism with the rotation of the turntable which is propelled through the shaft 20. For this purpose there is mounted on the rearwardly projecting end of shaft |20 a driving gear |30. Gear |30 is in mesh with a larger gear |32, which in turn meshes with a small pinion |34 on the rotating cam to be described.

As will be explained in connection with the operation of the machine, it is necessary that the rotating cam which controls the inclination of the cutting tool be accurately set with respect to the location of the work piece; otherwise, accurate angular surfaces on the work piece will not be obtained. It is also desirable to have the machine equipped so that the speed of rotation of the cam may be varied with respect to the speed of rotation of the table. There is therefore provided, in the drive mechanism for the cam, means for turning the cam independently of the drive mechanism for the work table, to bring the inclination of the tool to the correct point at the start of the work and also to establish the correct relationship' between either of the templates 4| and 42 and the cam which controls the position ofthel semblrlfindicatediasza whole.

of thellever-arfmfsl-Z .and held.; .ISaf/Ilie'.svtingineiiesersarm martthereierefbe ftooll Themeehanismion;aooomnlishineithisiresul willnoirbetdescritedtfa Wellfiiasitheimeans for varying-fthe '.frelatitefspeesls; of @the mam: and werlstable.

andthisfslsaitassembly .fis .turnsmounteslain a 10mg slotted guideway Isa cut in-thelunnesnd .@plaombyfrbolt sdiusteo about .the exister. .nest-last 11.20.. garnet 'insteek-.1A

Tov the estreme .fresia-end; offthe. .shaft-.4 1202 y .xeda large.. hand awhselemh 1; This handtwheel is..use.dto.adjust the.angular positionaof the-rotatine. camvwith- :respeet .to-,.the positionner the thanmneraittst.

-llfm whiels the slitting tool-is rotatably mount,- ed. At the side of the body is ,.formedla lug ,f1 80,

I having fa V.transyersek.centraltloassageg1 8 I .which partiallyfintersects'fthe `recessfi 1 t4 so thata `pqr- .tiQnffofmthe barrel ispexposed. Two sliding.

@opening e! 8 l and .l have-.arcfshaped surfaces |84 which, .flareeldrawn intoftiglst clamping ...engager 4ment 4iwi-th l.bar-,rel H8: ...bynga --looltv AI 86 passing block-183. ThisyiS :themeanS-Lby: which the tool iastened lthe rockingtool ,carrier. f Located.;-.-in..thebarrel II8fis the hollowsleeve I88 in which the tool spindle I90.-is -ttedf The constructionief the tool spindle may loe .waited lout .in i .the .folm 1 shown .the sleeve.. it-.bears at work. table and,theatenlplatesT carried-thereby. 2 0 A.fits-Rupper and lowermendsfagainst .the ball., bear- To accomplish this :purposes-the. olutohfflvltis shown.) and lthe .handwwheel isthenfrotated .to bring the .rotating .camf Ito.- Iits ,orroct.-pqsition.

lings... l,92.a1 1d..|93, -respeotirely y The lower. loear- .ingsE-IQB are.. heldinplace byya :threaded lock ring |94 against a shoulderqcuttin the lower endl-oi the bar-rel., The ,upper bearings.. |92 are Thishav.ng .been done..:thegclutchl ,isagaimen- 25 likewise seated. infa .recess in; the...top.of the gagedfto. reestablish .the .positive.-.olrifiiineconnestion between. .the -shafts. 2il; and ll 2,8.. --A .urther means, 4for .accomplishing fine adjustments is by shitting thev cam-,abQut-its shaft..meansjffor ac,- complishing which ,willloe described.

1 The headanw thecuttzng. tool, amfitsuoperatiug mechanism Reierencelhasbeen made .totheheads This isshown, .inside.elevation.inEisv` `,1 andtingplan .35

`v4Fig.` gIt ,a heatyvbeamwhieh has. .afma'n bodmnoition .,lUa. A.which .ts.. against. .and is olamnedqto-the .ton of ,the .stanchion inthegman.- nerr` described.. l`It' alsoghas. an ...outwardly .ex-tend'- barrel A.and .rest lupon .a ring-.shaped bearing. membei: 4.l aowlsich. is urged.- -upwamlyJoy. coil vsprings l--fnestinetin the ringl'flt and. bearing :.upon a 'itat ...ring .1. 198s at `the ,baseyo.tl1e,recess;.in. vthe ...barreL A ring 9B-.is ,threaded .onthegupperlportion; of. the spindle and holdsthepbearingsJZ in plaoe-i .The :assembly isheld :,in. place by. a cap 20B threaded onto the upper end=of'...the,,barre1 |18.

The spindleIfSIIfextends-upwardly beyond the tool-fsarriaeeand to; its 1.upper end f is y.fastened a pulley ZGZtedapted lto be Adriven,loyiaelt .203 fiorita sourotaofpower'.` I

In theglower :enel of thedspindle is fastened one ing cantilever armlbwhioh is offset witnresneot ..140 meeuw@ @naief the -cutting .,togttzuswhich s to...th,e. .main Doelman@ .carries the cutting.' tool and' its operating..- meenanisin. It yalso.tiasthe rearwardly v.extendinglportion., 'Ic `which its against. the. sidewall ,ofthe0 .stanchion and supports. a .partoflthe tool operating. mechanism. 45

Altoundthe .portion 10c a flange.. 10d.

Theiaceof the arm. 10b... is vertical andenproximately'midway ofthe arm is a circular-,wh

ine [5.0 -.in which.. is located .a bearing.. L51.. inw-nich iS rotated one.. of therme... or shaftsigllwhion 5 0 formsthe .pvotall-.support ionone vside of .the rocking .tool carrieror..housing,..-indicatedpas.a Wholjejat l'grgAlplate lis'set. inthe .sidbof the opening-150. and@ cap 51' heldf'Qy bolts L53 holdsthe bearingin position (Fig. 3

Extending irointhernain bodygofthe head andspaced romtthe arm'lnb is a, seondarm i60 parallel' therewith. k, To the undersurfae of "the armitfis attached. by bolts .litiga lsl'ookA 162 having an. opening.. 163 inelisnment ,with .the 60 opening. 15,0- .,In. opening is. the. bearingv [84 for. the. pin l tswhi-chVV forms the; pivotal., support forthe othersideofthe .'tool; carrier 1155; 1A threadedspaoer sleeve L66 on.thepinltspaoes thehearing .from the 'side ,'of the ,too1;,oarrier,. and 65 a capj''lisimilarto. cap 151...andlboltsilhold the. bearing.. 16.4 ,.innljace.. 'OnIthe. wertigery race of the. .arm 10h is .an arceshaped' i bearing.. strip. |10' held gin .plaebyybolts yII'I iandwhibhaitird a .liearinasuriaoe-over .whichv the ASide of. the. ttool 1 0 carrier; moves whilethe tool; .amnistie-reeksen; The. to.ol.oarri,en for housing.; which; .liasgbeen einen fthe-...general vr.@fer-ense character Y15.5.. .is

showniinsfelevation-fin..Fia-e1. inrrestioaltoross 5 two sectoreshapedwings. iThezwingstotherig-ht in Eigit" einen the reference.- numeral-Zi'and i-tsffrine.tion` :to aride over the lbeering'A strip -I l 0 to steady the movementjof-,the ytotali:carrier;asri-t ro.clisiahontazthefaxessIf5'2eflB5;

roca-ingestion imparted -byrths rotating.y cam previously referredh to. 'Fittedeaignst theV louter euryedredseaportionsof ftl'ie4 .Wina -,2I 6 is .the lower end:.ofi;a;n;f arm-:2 I 8 iprovided withzan'. arc-,shaped 9 orestiuponithetedgeofthe wing and withza dependinerlange.f2.2U-,whien is bolted-to the wingsat 21. The: :upper end oiffthe m1111218` isf.foigrl'gedyv en".v 'a circle concentric with vthee axes I-52eeii65 andf..-,to=.;.t.hisz.` surfaoe -1arefattached-the endszfof'ztwor parallel; lieiiilzxls; isteelfstranszf 2.2 4 "and 225 which #lief siderby-Side :.onvthettopffof fthe. arias: I8 :Thestran 2.24; :tos the zletft inzFie.. is attached by .oltzzz'lito-a bloskr226.fasteneclaat Fig. 4. The strap 225 is fastened by bolt 229 to a block 228 at the other side of the arm. y

The strap 224 rocks the tool carriage in a counter-clockwise direction by pull exerted thereon in one direction in Fig. 4, while the strap 225 rocks the tool carriage in a clockwise direction by pull exerted thereon in the opposite direction, the respective straps being wrapped or unwrapped about the upper edge of the arm 2|8, depending upon the direction in which the tool carriage is moving. Obviously the straps pulling in opposite directions at all times provide means for rocking the tool 285 to various positions and maintaining it accurately in any angular position against the side thrust imparted to the tool by the work piece.

The mechanism for operating the straps 224- 225 will be described in connection with the rotating cam.

The rotating cam and its operating mechanism The rocking of the tool carriage generates the angular surfaces on the edges of the work piece, but during the cutting away of the die draft the tool is fixed with its spindle in vertical position and the mechanism to be described operates during the rotation of the work table either to hold the tool with its axis in a true vertical plane or to rock it about the axis of the tool carriage. It will be noted at this point that, due to the location of the axis of the tool carriage, the tilting of the tool as shown in Fig. 1 shifts the cutting surface away from the work, while shifting the tool to its vertical position moves it toward the work. This is the reason for the diverging configuration of the two templates 4| and 42 as shown in Fig. 17.

.A pattern in the form of a rotating cam is given the reference numeral 248. As the angular surfaces on the work pieces must be accurately formed, the cam is relatively large in diameter and the spiral groove 24| formed therein is of relatively low pitch. The cam is a cylinder fixed to a long horizontal shaft 243 by set screws 244. This permits a fine adjustment of the cam about its shaft, as referred to above. The shaft extends along the front of the head and near its inner end is reduced, as shown in Fig. 8, and received in two ball bearings 245 and 246 mounted in the ends of a cylinder 248 which is fastened to the face of the head by bolts 249. A threaded collar 258 holds the bearings in place and the cylinder 248 is packed with lubricant.

The inner end of shaft 243 is attached to itsy driving gear |34 previously described. The outer istv end of shaft 243 is mounted in a ball bearing I 25| which is mounted in a bracket 252 fixed to the arm |68. The described mounting keeps the shaft steady and avoids any vibration.

Adapted to cooperate with the groove 24| is a stylus or follower 258. The mounting and operation of the stylus and the means by which movement of the stylus is transmitted to the rocking tool carriage will now be described.

0n the front face of the arm |68 is a horizontal dove-tailed rib 259 on which ismounted a slidev 268, the cross section of which is shown in Fig. 3 and the shape of which is shown in Fig. 1. It has a dove-tailed groove 26| engaging the rib 259, the lower side of the rib being formed by the shim 262 held on the slide by bolts 263.

The forward portion of the slide is elevated somewhat above the rearward portion thereof and in the top surface thereof, where the slide rides on the upper side of the arm |60, is formada T-shaped slot 265. Projecting from the top'of the slide are two parallel arms 266, the ends of which overlie the groove 265 and are provided with lugs 268 which partially enter the groove. A headed stud 218 is passed through each arm 266, the head being received in the base of the groove and being drawn into clamping engagement with the horizontal wall of the groove by a nut 21| threaded upon the upwardly projecting stem of the stud. The arms 266 are thus` anchored to the slide,268 at any desired point along the top of the slide.

The inner ends of the arms 266 are welded to a plate 214 shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 12. The plate 214 is the device which directly operates the straps 224 and 225, by which the tool carriage is rocked. Plate 214 is an elongated bar and to the under face thereof, at one end, the outer end of the strap 224 is anchored by a threaded stud 215. The underside of the plate 214 is recessed at 216 so as to provide clearance for the bolt 221. On the other side of the plate 214 is welded a downwardly extending lug 211, the inner face of which is notched to receive the outer end of the strap 225 which is anchored to the lug by a threaded stud 219. At the left hand end of the plate 214 a recess 288 is provided to allow clearance for the stud 229.

It will be seen that as the plate 214 is moved to and fro by the slide 268 that movement will be transmitted by the straps 224 and 225 to the rocking tool carrier |55, the straps wrapping about the arc-shaped end of the arm 2|8 tothe surface of which they are held by the overlying plate 214.

On the front face of the slide 268 is a dovetailed rib 284 which is engaged by a dove-tailed groove 285 on the rear face of a stylus carrier slide block 281. The stylus carrier is adjustable with respect to the slide 268 and is held in whatever position is determined by means of a threaded pin 28| which extends to the right as shown in Fig. 9 through a lug 298 projecting from the slide 268 and to which it is held by the lock nuts 29|. If additional securingmeans is desirable, a bolt 294 may be passed through the top of the stylus carrier and engage any one of a series of threaded sockets out in the side of the rib 284.

The stylus carrier is L-shaped in cross section, the vertical arm lying against the face of the slide 268. The horizontal arm is extended to the left as shown in the several views and'in the end thereof are mounted the two spaced ball bearings 298 which support, for free rotation, the sleeve 299 of a stylus holder 388. The body of the stylus is fitted into the sleeve and is locked in position by a set screw 30|. A collar 383 is threaded onto the lower end of the sleeve of the stylus holder and holds the assembly together, being held in position by a set screw 384.

When the machine is cutting the angular surfaces, the lower end of the stylus engages the groove 24| and the tool carriage is rocked by the connections described. When machining the die draft, however, the stylus is raised to the dottedline position'shown in Fig. 9 and locked out of contact with'the rotating cam so that the latter rotates idly.

To obtain an accurate cut, the stylus is yieldingly held at all times during the operation of the rotating cam against one wall of the groove 24|. In the drawings, this is the right hand wall. This function is performed by an air cylinder 385, which is mounted von the front face 18e The'.V cylinder is, maintained-'under aiconstant pressure 'through -the linefSl 8; during" the cutting of-the angular surfaces .onf :the workpiece. i The piston in thiscylinder:(notshovvnlHhasl arod 3.1 which extends Vto theright as: shown in' Fig. 1 andis anchored in a'vertioal arm SI2-extending upwardly fromthefslidell (Fig. 16). In this manner, pressure'is -always exertedy duringv the'cutting of the :angular-surfaces to keepl the stylus in Contact Withthewallat'one s'idevofthev groove 2M. This also explains therotatable mounting'forthe stylus, `vpermitting it -to rotate freely whilefheld'incontact withthe wall'fof the groove, .notflonly-facilitating the operation' but also eliminating wearfon the-'stylusandlthe wallfof the groove.

vIn :cutting thefverticalfsurfaces lon the work piece,A it 1 is 'essential vthatrthe slide-i26-'be not allowed to creep. "Forfthispurpose there is'at"- tached'to the underside ofl flange 'mda-bracket 3I4Ain which' is anchored'therearfend `015 along rod-3m',` which extends #through the'arm -3I2. The rod 3|5 is'threadedl throughout, and-Inormally passes freely through'the hole in the-"arm 3|2. A set of locknuts, indicated generally by the numeral 315-, is threadedonthe rod andinv cutting the angular surfacesl these arez runfback as shown inV Fig. 1-, so-asA-not ltd-interfere with the movement -ofthe slidefz. When, however, the machine is-setf1for ythe verticalcut and-the stylus 258 is lifted outof the groove/2M; the -nutsV are run up tothe sides-ofthe arm -3I21to lock the1slide'260.

It is desirable to provide for manual operation"- of the slide 260 asis-sometimes'required*'for putting finishing vtouches onl the'Work; For thisf purpose; a bracket SiS-is provided on the `head l0, -in whichY is pivotally/` mounted ai link -S I 9-*to4 the outer-end of which isfpivoted thehand lever 320 which projectstoward the front-of the machine Where it isprovided with a rocking han'- dle 322 which canbel-swung'upwardly andle along the 1everl32il whennot'inuse. 'I-'helever 32B is provided with aslot 323 in whichis' clamped' the upper end of a: post 324,' the lower end of which eXtendSfintothe-slot -265-on-the' slide 260,170 which it is'elampedirrthe'sameman; ner that the studs 210 are clamped in the groove.

Opeatiofb The work piece or.: Workl 'pieces are clamped position on the. work table; care beingtaken that the pointy is .atfthelcenter'r of. the'work' table.

TheA first :operation being toy cut` away'the die f draft e; the stylus-258zis moved-lout lofi the groove 24 l and the slide` 26e:islocked'infposition so that the axis Lof; the: tool is vertical. is now adjustedso thatf'the rollerE 625- isatthe level ofthe templatez142. ".TheMmach-ining op eration will start at onefextremity'of the" sur-- face Ato begmachinedlandgbe carried aroundthe entire surface. Pressure is-nowadmittedto one end-'of the cylinder A30 r.and P the motor I 08 is set in-operationr.; The toolv'wilLnowstart i11'f-rnoti0nr concurrently withithe'slowfrotation fofthe eta-lele.u Theuidzpressure'ginf the --cylinder` 30, #through the voperation :of 'the-i'tracen-valveg will-feed lthe table toward or from the tool generatingfthe el"-r liptieall cut.

The. machine is= now: Lset vto cut the angular surfaces h. Thez-nuts BIG areI backedl-offand the` stylus' 258; lowered into: the grooveiZ-l fonthe rotating cam .2258. 1 Pressure is admittedwtofthe cylinderi toxkeepithestylusagainst theright"l The l-tracer armv 12" handfwailfofthegrocve; "v'ThefroilerfAZisebrought to the level loftheftemplate-4I; .1. Ass the operation'startsiat a point Wherethe nished. surfaces are verticaletheftool. is lvertical at" the start' of.'

5' the-operation.

TheA machine is:V novv set.U inzmotion. I As the machining 'operationproceeda the'ftool is 'graduallytilted: until? itfreachesi its `maxiniumiin clina-tionf at the' pointl a. Thereafter; L' theitool' returns" gradually toits vertical' position :at: the

end of the-operation. x The: 'tilting lof' rtheftooli is controlled yby' the kcooperation of'fxthe stylusy with the rotating rcam. f :The A.-amplitude; of movement of' thelwork/v table ato.' ithe right :loriV left iszxnot fas f hencethe 'template' dif-has.: the; lesser radiusfand consequently S thepperationr of'vithe'f'tracerfivalve v39rotating1'tlleftooL a'rotating cann acam follower,

driving'connections loetweerrthe cam-follower and the v-tool carrier to'rock the carrier yand gradually vary the-angular position'f'ofthe tool While maintaining the'tool in accurate position againsttheisidethrustorthework piece; -meansto drive the cam in synchronismwith 4the rotation of the table, means to shift the table toward-and from the tool' duringthe rotation of the talole,y and templatey means on the Italole 'cooperating' with ffsaidtable shiftingmeansrtol causethe tool toA follow the contour of the Work-piece.

2.' Apparatus for machining 'a-gradually changingangular edge curan irregularV Work piece, the combination of a `sh'iftable work-table to which the' workpiece is' fixed; meansfor rotating-theA work table; a lhead-'projecting over the table, a pivotally' mounted tool carrier'on the head, arotating cutting' toolon the'fcarrier-andlocatedwith one f sidefengaging 4the work piece;vv means for rowtating the tool,4 afrotatinglcam; a'fcam follower, driving-connections lloetween the cam vfollower andthe --toolcarrier tovro'ck Athe 'carrier' andr 'vary progressively 'the angular position' of theV tool, saiddriving connections includingy tensioned 5i,- bandsfresistingsidelthrust'ofthe work piece on the-tool,r means to `drive-thecam in synchronism with the yrotation ofthe table', a template fixed to theftable, a templatefollower; and Ameans actuated hv the'movementof' the follower. tov shift eo'lthe axis of' the-table withrrespect to the cutting surface-ofthe toolv during. the rotation of. the table.

3. Apparatus for machiningagradually chang ing angular edge' on a non-circular workr1piece z comprising a work table; to'v which the x/.orlpiece is fixed; meansfor rotating .the Work table, ahead'.

projecting over "the;,table,a l,tnolcarrier pivotally mounted inthe head,ra cutting tool depending from the headin positionto haveone sideof the `tool engage theV edge. ofv the Work. piece, means to rock the vcarrier duringA the rotation ,of the table to Avaryprogressively the angle to oe cut on the edge'v of'the'V workpiece', said rocking means maintaining tneztool :in .accurate `positionagainst the/side'fthrust'ofthe workpiece', a template atgreatr as in i thef vfirst foperation': .becausei theztilt ing of the tool itself*ifeedsrfitfintoizthel Worlrand` 13 tached to the work table, a template follower, and means acting in response to the movement of the template follower to shift the table toward or from the tool to cause the tool to follow the contour of the work piece.

FRANK A. BUECHLER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Number 14 I Name Date Harris et al. Sept. 25, 1934 Williams Dec. 31, 1935 Onsrud Mar. 28, 1944 Johnson Oct. 16', 1945 Thalmann Apr. 15, 1952 Eberle et al Jan. 6, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Feb. 21, 1951 

